Nurses with body modifications

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Hi, I am a grade twelve student going into nursing in September I have a tattoo on my upper arm which is slightly visible when I wear a t-shirt and I also have 10mm plugs in my ears. I was wondering if these modifications would pose any problems when I go to clinicals ?

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Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

Depends on your school and clinical sites. They may ask you to wear a long sleeve short to cover the tattoo as well remove the plugs.

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It should not be an issues, the school may ask you to cover your tattoo or remove your plugs but once your working it wont matter. I went to school with a guy who had full sleeves. He wore long shirts to cover them, but I think it was his choice as he did not want to scare people. He was a BIG guy, the old ladies cross to the other side of the street for, but the sweetest guy ever!

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I always wear long sleeves to a new clinical site and ask the staff what their policies are. So far I haven't had any problems with my tattoos and am allowed to have them visible. I do keep a tattoo sleeve in my bag in case I need it but I don't have anything vulgar or offensive so no one has seemed to have a problem so far. Check with school policies, mentors preferences and clinical site policies to be sure. We have had to remove all facial piercings and large plugs (although I personally think without the plugs in it looks worse haha).

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In Vancouver this, as far as I have seen, has never even been a topic in school or as a RN, as tattoos and piercings are so common. I can't speak for other parts of the country.

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